Makeover Diaries: Breaking the Rut Without Breaking the Bank

Our feature Makeover Diaries tells the stories of women's real-life beauty transformations. J'Wan Yvette, a single mom from Maryland, figured out that she didn't have to spend a fortune to look like a million.

Photos: Courtesy of J'Wan Yvette

As a single working mom, I can safely say that finding the time for a makeover always seemed impossible. It got a little more impossible recently, when I took a pay cut to pursue a more fulfilling career as an assistant in my local school district.

My usual hairstyle was a simple ponytail; my makeup routine was an occasional coat of lip gloss. From time to time I would glam it up for a poetry set or the occasional family photograph, but for the most part t-shirts, jeans, gym shoes and a ponytail were my uniform.

When some well-meaning friends told me I looked pretty, but boring, I became determined to find a way to break out of the rut - without breaking the bank.

I began with my hair. Not only do I have an active 10-year-old daughter, but I'm helping my mom as she recovers from open heart surgery. The reality is that I don't have a lot of time, or a lot of money, so I had to find a look that fit my lifestyle as well as my budget. I found both at J&Y Hair Braiding, in the Walker Mill shopping center in Capitol Heights, Md. For only $45 every three to four weeks, I can have my hair done in French braids. For slightly more (around $60-65) I can switch to a simple but elegant cornrow style. The upkeep is very easy - simply wrap at night, and apply styling gel around the edges to prevent flyaways.

In the clothing department, I found brands like Baby Phat, Apple Bottoms or Pastry Kicks for very affordable prices at Citi Trends. One of my favorite summer pieces is a pair of Baby Phat capris that I bought there for $39.99 - original price $79.99. The new outfits felt like a big improvement over my old jeans and t-shirt look. And if you're a mom, you can find clothes for children and teens as well. There's nothing like one-stop shopping!

Once I started wearing the braids, the new outfits and new makeup, my neighbors and friends instantly noticed the difference. As I returned home from the hairdresser, I heard a collective "Wow!" from my neighbors. Employees at the stores where I shop told me that I looked like a whole new person. So it's possible to look like a million bucks without actually spending a million!

Got a makeover story you'd like to share? Visit Seed.com to find out how you can contribute.